Ann Cvaniga: “Ann was a real ‘go-getter’ and a passionate advocate for Catholic education.”

Gift Plan: Residual Bequest

Longtime benefactor Ann Cvaniga gave faithfully to the College for 20 years before she passed away at the age of 108. When she died, Ann left Christendom 20% of her estate—a generous legacy that will impact the lives of Christendom students for years to come.

Ann was born to Slovenian immigrants in Trinidad, Colorado, in 1910. Her father, a coal miner, died after growing ill from his work when she was young. When she was about 14 years old, her mother remarried and the family moved to Indiana. Following her high school graduation, Ann worked as a secretary at a company in Chicago that manufactured military parts during World War II while also taking college classes. She was a shareholder of the company at the age of 26 and, by 30, was a co-owner. In addition to these achievements, she also invented and patented products to facilitate the manufacture of her company’s products.

Eventually selling her part of the company and returning to Colorado, Cvaniga attended the University of Denver and earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish followed by a master’s degree in Spanish literature. She then taught Spanish for four years. Passionate about education, she continued taking classes at the University of Denver into her early 100s.

Ann’s brother, Fr. Stephen Cvaniga, first told her about Christendom College, inspiring her involvement. Over the years, she wrote thanking Christendom for defending the faith in challenging times through its excellent education and formation of students.

“Ann was a real ‘go-getter’ and a passionate advocate for Catholic education,” reflects John Ciskanik (Executive Director of the Office of Gift Planning). “She had such a positive and inspiring impact on Christendom during her lifetime, and I know the legacy she leaves behind will continue to enrich the Christendom community and transform the lives of our students.”